HSV's hot Astra arrives

After almost six months of delays the Holden Special Vehicles turbocharged Astra VXR has finally arrived in showrooms.

13 September 2010Jaedene Hudson

Astra VXR Hatch

The first four-cylinder HSV in 18 years is priced from $42,990. The last four-cylinder HSV was the ill-fated SV1800 based on the Nissan Pulsar. Fewer than 100 were built.

The HSV VXR is made by Germany's Opel Performance Centre, GM's European performance division. This explains the remnant Opel badging on the instrument panel and steering wheel.

Fitting an HSV badge to the airbag on the steering wheel would have required HSV to conduct extra crash testing, which would have made the project too expensive. There is, however, an HSV badge on the bottom of the steering wheel.

HSV usually boasts about the differences between its cars and the Commodores on which HSV models are based. But it has had no input into the VXR and made no modifications.

The company does not even fit the HSV badges itself. In fact, the badging, DataDot security and build plates are all done in the pre-delivery stage at a holding yard before each car goes to a dealer.

The VXR has unique badging on the rear, front grille and an HSV VXR strip across the hatch, as on the HSV Grange.

There are just 100 cars in the first batch of VXRs delivered to Australia. Of those, more than half are already sold. The second batch is expected about April next year.

HSV, a brand known for its V8 performance sedans, has introduced the Astra VXR in an attempt to lure younger buyers, especially couples.

HSV does not believe that having a four-cylinder in its line-up will hurt its V8 image. "Response to the car has been overwhelming, there is strong buyer interest," says HSV spokesman Paul McDonnell. "It might be a four-cylinder but it is a performance car. We don't see any reason why we shouldn't be represented in the four-cylinder market."

The three-door hatch has a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine with 177kW of power and 320Nm of torque. It reaches 100kmh from rest in 6.4 seconds. It has a six-speed manual gearbox.